Alert: Utility customers target of scam

Thursday

Jan 9, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Shawna Jankoviak Staff Writer, @sjankoviakCDT @sjankoviak

Some customers of Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op are the latest targets of an e-mail scam.
Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op Member Services Manager Maire Chagnon-Hazelman said a couple of their utility members contacted them Wednesday reporting that they had received suspicious e-mails from scammers posing as “PG&E” and notifying them of past due payments.
The e-mails included an account number, a past due amount and a link to access the account to make payment. Chagnon-Hazelman said other northern Michigan utilities have also reported being targeted by recent telephone scams.
She said Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op only asks for personal information when a member calls the utility to establish service or inquire on their account.
“If an account is delinquent, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op members will receive a notice on their bill and will receive automated telephone calls directly from the utility,” Chagnon-Hazelman said. “The legitimate call will instruct how to make payment using the utility's secure phone system or its website.”
The Co-op does not request payment by e-mail. “If members have questions about their bill, they should contact the utility by phone or access their account via the secure phone or online systems,” Chagnon-Hazelman said.
Anyone who believes they are a victim of a recent phone or e-mail scam and who gave personal information or a credit card number or bank account number should report it immediately to their credit card company or bank and call local law enforcement, Chagnon-Hazelman said.
Chagnon-Hazelman said PIE&G has informed all local law enforcement of the scam. She said although scams involving legitimate businesses are not unusual, PIE&G has not been targeted before.
“The scammers are fishing, targeting people who don't want their utilities shut off with the cold,” she said. “We are trying to notify as many people as fast as we can, not to open any suspicious e-mails and to delete them right away.”
Cheboygan County Sheriff Dale Clarmont said there have been numerous scams throughout the area during the past several years.
“Just when we think we have caught up with them, new ones pop up; they are never-ending,” Clarmont said.
“I would caution the citizens of this county to ensure they are dealing with a legitimate business before giving out any personal or financial information.”
Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op provides electric and natural gas service to more than 42,000 member-owners. PIE&G serves a nine-county area across northeast Michigan and is located in Onaway.